We all intuitively understand that LSU is a major driver for Louisiana's economy,
but researchers have quantified its effect in the university's newest economic impact study.

LSU's total economic impact on Louisiana is $5.1 billion. The university provides a return of $13.25 for every $1 the state invests in it.

The study breaks down the university's impact by campus and by parish.

Two LSU Students Named Truman Finalists

LSU is proud to announce that Morgan Johnson, of Shreveport, La., and Madelyn Smith,
of Lafayette, La. have been selected as finalists for the prestigious Truman Scholarship.

Morgan is a senior studying political science and Spanish in the College of Humanities
& Social Sciences. Madelyn is a junior studying natural resource ecology and management
with a concentration in conservation biology in the College of Agriculture.

I hope you'll join me in wishing these two incredibly talented and well-deserving
LSU students the best of luck as they participate in final interviews on Monday, March
5, in Austin, Texas.

LSU Student 1 of 38 in World Selected to Participate in Journalism Project

LSU Manship School of Mass Communication Senior Katie Gagliano is one of 38 students chosen from 19 universities around the world to participate
in the prestigious Carnegie-Knight News21 multimedia reporting initiative, which will investigate U.S.-based hate crimes. The
Covington, Louisiana native will travel to Tempe, Arizona, this summer to research
and report for the program.

LSU Professor Invents Biodegradable Mardi Gras Beads

After the recent, headline-making news that New Orleans discovered 46 tons of Mardi
Gras beads in sewer drains, many were left stunned at the magnitude of the holiday's
footprint on the city.

LSU Professor Pits Red Wine Against Heart Disease

According to the CDC, approximately 630,000 people each year die from heart disease,
making it the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. One successful
approach to treatment is to support bloodflow through vessels with a stent.

LSU Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences Professor Tammy Dugas is developing a new stent that releases red wine antioxidants slowly over time, promoting healing and preventing
blood clotting and inflammation.

LSU Professor Receives Award from American Physiological Society

Scott Edwards, Assistant Professor of Physiology and Neuroscience at the LSU Health
New Orleans School of Medicine, is the recipient of the 2018 New Investigator Award by the Central Nervous System Section of the American Physiological Society.

The Edwards Lab, which is part of the LSU Health New Orleans Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Center of Excellence, is investigating the neurobiological changes associated with
altered motivational systems in drug and alcohol addiction. The interaction of addiction
and chronic pain is the most recent target of their research -- an especially important
focus in light of our nation's opiod addiction crisis.

Mark Your Calendars!

No single entity alone can solve big problems like violence and crime in Baton Rouge.
But organizational psychologist Tracey Rizzuto helps individuals and organizations
find mutually beneficial partnerships to tackle large-scale societal issues. She will
share the science behind the magic that has the potential to truly transform communities
at this month's Science Cafe.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for free food and networking, and the talk will start at 6 p.m.
Remember, people of all ages are welcome, so please spread the word and join us for
a fun and informative night!